Drop the Needle

Admitting That We're Powerless

Whether you subscribe to the 12 steps of AA, or you can't stand the thought of "The Rooms" at all, this episode has something for everyone. It was the first episode in our ambitious, rocky trek through all 12 that forever changed the podcast. Given the subject matter, Mike and Paul rolled solo in this one.  Songs include: "Broken," lovelytheband "I Wanna Get Better," Bleachers "You Only Live Twice," Coldplay "Please Don't Die," Father John Misty This podcast does not claim ownership ov...

Breaking Points (Recorded Live @ The Columbus, Ohio Podcast Festival)

Joined by guest Jen Hoening, the gang explores their different breaking points on stage during a live episode, recorded at the Columbus Podcast Festival. 

Consequences

Guest: Jason Lichtenberger  Songs in order of appearance: “Nobody to Blame” - Chris Stapleton (Jason's choice) “ABC 123” - Tune-Yards (Sean's choice) “Everybody Wants to Rule the World" - Tears for Fears (Paul's choice) “Bad Bad Leroy Brown” - Jim Croce (Jason's choice) “Bad Blood” - Ryan Adams (Paul's choice) “Ride” - niko+ & Clans (Sean's choice) “Chateau Lobby #4" - Father John Misty (Paul's choice) “Ruins” - First Aid Kit (Sean's choice) This show does not claim copyright to an...

Threats

Escape

This show does not claim ownership/copyright of any of this episode's included media. 

Complacency

[Previously released October 2019] Selections include: "Back in Your Head," Tegan & Sara "The Pretender," Jackson Browne  "In the Waiting Line," Zero 7 "Oh Devil," Electric Guest Drop the Needle does not claim ownership over any of the media included in this episode. 

Gratitude

Looking Back [with Matt Argalas]

Songs included in this podcast: Slip Away - Perfume Genius Strangers - Sarah Klang Game Winner - Vulpeck Wearing Nothing - Dagny The Curse - Josh Ritter Horses - Yes Nice This show does not claim copyright over any of the artists or samples included. 

Sleep

Songs included in this episode:  Sleepwalker - Hey Ocean! Afternoon - Youth Lagoon Raconte-Moi Une Histoire - M83 Your Hand in Mine - Explosions in the Sky  The songs included in this podcast are meant for educational purposes only. This podcast does not claim any copyright.

Amy Dresner (Author, "My Fair Junkie")

Instant Gratification

Beating Yourself Up

Second Chances

<DtN Presents> The Projection Room ("You Complete Me")

DtN presents a sneak preview of a brand-new weekly podcast, The Projection Room. Each week in less than 20 minutes, certified mental health counselor Rikki and certifiably mental movie fan Dusty evaluate a different movie scene. Whether it's classic, celebrated, confusing, confusingly celebrated, cult or something else, no scene is safe from scrutiny.  In their debut episode, Rikki and Dusty take on an iconic scene from 1996's "Jerry Maguire," starring Tom Cruise and Renée Zellweger. Find o...

The Last Whirl

Earlier this year, we returned with a brand-new co-host, a renewed purpose, and the excitement of getting together again... only to put the entire series to bed for good. In other words, this is our final-final, last-ever, we-swear-it's-over series finale. But this isn't a sad occasion. That's why this isn't an episode so much as a celebration that took almost 3 months to put together. It's a retrospective that pulls from 80 episodes to distill years of "Drop the Needle" down into one hour....

The Last Whirl

Earlier this year, we returned with a brand-new co-host, a renewed purpose, and the excitement of getting together again... only to put the entire series to bed for good. In other words, this is our final-final, last-ever, we-swear-it's-over series finale. But this isn't a sad occasion. That's why this isn't an episode so much as a celebration that took almost 3 months to put together. It's a retrospective that pulls from 80 episodes to distill years of "Drop the Needle" down into one hour....

I Mean, Your Cat is Named Miss Moneypenny...

Guest Matt Argalas (The Wounded Jukebox, The Lazy Flame) uses his butterscotch voice to discuss identity, loss, and Australian accents, not to mention collecting trinkets and toys and trivial things, and so much more.  Music: Alena Diane, Carpenter Brut, Arlie, Jimmy Eat World, Arcade Fire, Sylvan Esso, Post Malone, She & Him, Bob Seger and Julia Jacklin.  Movie: "Liberal Arts" (2012, dir. Josh Radnor) <This podcast does not claim copyright to the elements included in this episode. This s...

These Kids Weren't Even Alive When 9/11 Happened

Getting older is no joke. In fact, maybe this episode's topic (the fear of aging) is what drove our co-hosts Mike and Sean to take "vacation"...  Maybe we'll never know. But whatever the case, our guest this week stepped up in a big way to deliver the goods!  In a previous life, Dustin Baker was a rugby star, bartender, bouncer, reader, writer, and semi-serious Shakespeare scholar. Today, he's a high school language arts teacher who explores this week's topic through the prism of pop cultur...

This Song Sucks But We're Going to Get Some Ice Cream

In a previous life, Dustin Baker was a rugby star, bartender, bouncer, reader, writer, and semi-serious Shakespeare scholar. Today, he's a high school language arts teacher who explores this week's topic through the prism of pop culture. He shares a poem by H.W. Longfellow; a novella by Fredrik Backman; music by The Steeldrivers, Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole and Faces; words from Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl; and a seminal scene from "Pulp Fiction." (Future guests: the bar has officially b...

Why Can't I Say "No" to People?

If you're a people pleaser like 3/4 of this podcast's hosts, then this episode is a must-listen. Saying the word "no" is as empowering as it is elusive, but it's also intimidating and necessary. We walk through some tools and techniques to combat the anxiety of hearing "no" from others, bolstering self-identity, and diving into songs from Waxahatchee and KT Tunstall.  <This podcast does not claim copyright to the song segments played. This show is also not a substitute for professional psyc...

Why Can't We Have Nice Things?

Welp. Here we are, elbowing our way back into your podcast queue again. In the 2+ years we've been away, a couple of things have changed (to say the least) but that's why we've returned. Sean's steel-trap music memory is intact, Paul still doesn't enunciate words correctly, and Mike is leveling up with his recovery like never before.  We're also more professional for Season 6, too. Literally! Our new co-host Rikki is a licensed counselor with a specialization in trauma, which puts an entire...

An Old Episode We Really Like a Lot

Before we kick off Drop the Needle 2.0 next week, here's one more unarchived episode from the not-all-that-different 1.0 version of this show. This one's from 2018. It features segments from tracks by Hippo Campus, Sharon Van Etten, R.E.M., HAERTS, Ten Fe, and Ashe, not to mention all three of us in very good places in life.

Giving It Another Whirl

Our last new episode was released in December '19. Right after the holidays, the world shut down. Between then and now, so much has happened with the three of us that it's almost hilarious if some of it wasn't so sad. (We have a lot to talk about, you guys.)  Anyway, this episode finds Paul setting the table for Season 6. Each week until the new season, we'll be running some of our favorite, previously unavailable episodes from years past, like this one.  But first: a discussion of why DtN...

Loyalty

Sean, Mike and Paul get into the topic of loyalty—for people, for brands, for recovery programs and everything in between. (This episode also boasts references to Boxcar Willie and "Toy Story," so it can't be all bad.) Artists include Randy Newman, Miya Folick, R.E.M. and Local Natives. (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to original owner.)

Mike Returns!

"I'm an alcoholic and an addict and I unleashed the monster. I didn't realize how severe the consequences of that would be." Co-host Mike Verlie returns to the show—and to recovery. Mike shares a bit of his journey over the past few months as well as his hopes for the future. Artists in this episode include Lucy Dacus, Gaz Coombes and Daft Punk. (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to original owner.)

The Pink Cloud

By far, this is our happiest, bounciest and most upbeat collection of music in one episode. That's because we're talking about "the pink cloud" in addiction recovery—the temporary sense of euphoria, hope and well-being that occurs during very early sobriety. Artists this time around include Phantom Planet, Gotye, Phoenix, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Florence + The Machine and Jessica Lea Mayfield.  (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All righ...

You're Getting Very Sleepy...

If you're struggling with alcoholism and addiction, you know how cruel sleep can be. Likewise, if you're struggling with sobriety, you know just how cruel sleep can be, too. There's no happy medium. Many routines over many years have to be built. Paul has had a contentious, ugly relationship with sleep for nearly six years after getting sober. In this episode, Sean and Paul discuss sleep habits, dream imagery in songs, and Paul's addiction to Ambien. They also share songs by Hey Ocean!, Yout...

Beware the 13th Step

This week, we discuss the complicated, thorny and entirely unofficial “Step 13” in 12-step programs: the common phenomenon of long-timers preying romantically upon short-timers. It’s an episode about protecting yourself against vulnerability and recognizing whom to trust in recovery. With the help of our frequent guest Adam, we offer some solutions and strategies for navigating this minefield. We also share songs by Air Traffic Controller, little hurricane, Hellogoodbye, and Trent Reznor & A...

Step 12: "...We Tried to Carry This Message..."

In the final episode of the 12-step project, Sean and Paul discuss how to give back, removing obsessions in your life, and the art of living your best life. Artists include Vacationer, Poolside, Public Service Broadcasting, Dylan LeBlanc and Rex Orange County.  (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to original owner.)

Step 11: "Sought Through Prayer and Meditation..."

Paul and Sean discuss how to "fake it until you make it" in recovery, meditation, higher powers, sensory deprivation tanks and the time Sean got locked in the record-album archives by a vengeful Paul. Artists include Lana Del Rey, Washed Out, Japanese Breakfast and The Japanese House. (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to original owner.) 

Step 10: "...When We Were Wrong Promptly Admitted It"

<SEASON PREMIERE> In this episode, Sean and Paul discuss Step 10, self-honesty, insecurity, guilt, forgiveness, "restraint of tongue and pen" and the time Paul thought he didn't appear on Sean's doorbell-camera when he actually did. Artists include Dear and the Headlights, Electric Guest and Lizzo.  (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to original owner.) 

Steps 8 & 9: "Made a List of People We Had Harmed & Made Amends"

In this episode, Sean and Paul bring music about the hardest steps in the book: Steps 8 and 9. Making amends is fraught with anxiety and tension as it is, but putting that into motion can be even more complicated. They discuss how to practically approach someone to make amends, the act of forgiveness, and how to maintain sobriety without being forgiven, not to mention songs by Paramore, Miya Folick, Jukebox the Ghost, Dum Dum Girls and Tori Amos. Also, we've been nominated for Best Music Po...

Step 7: "...Remove Your Shortcomings"

In this episode, we're joined by the sunny, kind and engaging Arlina Allen, host of her own podcast The ODAAT Chat as well as the creator of Sober Life School. We discuss AA Step 7, which consists of removing one's shortcomings. Artists include Glen Phillips, Enigma, Anna of the North and The National. Also, we've been nominated for Best Music Podcast for the 2019 Columbus Podcast Awards. If you don't mind showing us a little love, go to the nominations page and throw us a vote! It takes tw...

Step 6: "Became Willing to Have Defects of Character Removed..."

In this episode, we welcome return guest Tommy Rutger to discuss Step 6 and removing defects of character. Artists include Gov't Mule, Lady Lamb and Fiona Apple. Also, we've been nominated for Best Music Podcast for the 2019 Columbus Podcast Awards. If you don't mind showing us a little love, go to https://www.columbuspodcastawards.com/nominations and throw us a vote! It takes two seconds. Thank you! We're humbled and honored by the nom. (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of ...

Step 5: "Admit To Another Human Being The Exact Nature Of Our Wrongs..."

In this episode, we discuss the soul-shaking confession step. Artists this episode include The Trash Can Sinatras, Vampire Weekend, Yellow Ostrich, Three Dog Night, Claud, and Shearwater. Also, we've been nominated for Best Music Podcast for the 2019 Columbus Podcast Awards. If you don't mind showing us a little love, go to https://www.columbuspodcastawards.com/nominations and throw us a vote! It takes two seconds. Thank you! We're humbled and honored by the nom. (Drop the Needle does not ...

Step 4: "Made a Searching and Fearless Moral Inventory..."

In this episode, we discuss Step 4 and the process of creating a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Artists include Mal Blum, Michael Penn, Radical Face, Tristen, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, and TV Girl. Also, we've been nominated for Best Music Podcast for the 2019 Columbus Podcast Awards. If you don't mind showing us a little love, go to https://www.columbuspodcastawards.com/nominations and throw us a vote! It takes two seconds. Thank you! We're humbled and honor...

Step 3: "Made a Decision to Turn Our Will and Our Lives Over..."

In this episode, celebrated author, essayist and blogger Sean Paul Mahoney ("Now That You've Stopped Dying") joined us for a deep-dive into Step 3, including music from Dolly Parton, Björk, Annie Lennox, Sylvan Esso and a Future Islands remix of a Phantogram track. (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to original owner.)

Step 2: "Came To Believe That A Power..."

In this music-heavy episode, we're joined by return guest Adam G., as well as music from Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Joon Moon, Oasis, Civil Twilight, R.E.M. and Coldplay.  (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to original owner.)

Step 1: "We Admitted We Were Powerless..."

Step 1 brings with it songs from lovelytheband, Bleachers, Coldplay, and Father John Misty. (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to original owner.)

Steps, Part 2

<SEASON PREMIERE> In the second part of our season premiere, Mike & Paul discuss the season's 12-step arc, as well as the concept of "walls" and how Mike has no problem staring into the middle distance for hours on end. Artists in this episode include Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Crystal Castles, and The Animals. (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to original owner.)

Steps

<SEASON PREMIERE> In our fourth season premiere, Sean & Paul introduce the topic of Steps and how each episode forward will be dedicated to one of the 12 steps of recovery. Artists in this episode include Andrew Bird, Ben Kweller, Vampire Weekend, Vienna Teng and Miya Folick.  (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to original owner.)

Recovery According to Mike, Vol. 2

<SEASON FINALE> In this special year-end episode, we collected some of Mike's best insights and anecdotes regarding addiction and recovery during our 2018 season. Mike shares thoughts on Authenticity, Obsession, Pride & Ego, Threats, Breaking Points, Self-Care, Being Open About Sobriety, and Second Chances.  We also weave some of favorite tracks from 2018 into this episode. Artists include Doombird, Sharon Van Etten, Hippo Campus, Operators, Ashe, Wye Oak, Caroline Rose, Haerts, The Dirty P...

Goals (Guest: Liv Pennelle)

In this special, music-less episode, Portland-based writer Liv Pennelle (Liv's Recovery Kitchen) returns to discuss Goals. Over the past year, co-host Sean has lost an incredible 250 pounds -- a remarkable journey fraught with determination, doubt, anxiety, depression and pride that Sean and Liv discuss at length. There's also talk of balls and avocado toast.

MINI-EPISODE: Clarity

Mike, Sean and Paul revisit Clarity as a topic for the first time since February 2017. You'll hear some words of wisdom from a version of Mike that was still in sober living at the time, not to mention two songs about the subject by way of The Dirty Projectors and The Verve. (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to original owner.)

You Don’t Have to Be in Recovery to Understand Recovery or How to Raise an Well-Adjusted Child (Guest: Gayle Saks-Rodriguez)

Gayle Saks-Rodriguez is the brains behind the long-running, ever-popular blog My Life in the Middle Ages. For the last decade, she's released one affecting essay after another, refusing to allow her mother's suicide to define her as much as she's said goodbye to her years-long friend who suffered from a saddening crystal meth habit. We were lucky to have some time to talk to Gayle about the fears and joys of parenthood, not to mention her sobering perspective on the recovery community. Artis...

MINI-EPISODE: Freedom

Sincerely, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for continuing to listen to our addiction recovery music podcast Drop the Needle. As it continues to reach new listeners, I can't fully put into words how we feel about hearing the stories people want to share with this for doing this show. We really can't ask for anything more than that, so we'll just keep doing this. In this minisode, we revisit the topic of Freedom (first posted by Sean Paul Mahoney back in April). Listen to the ...

Our Podcast's State of the Union

Following an unexpected personal matter, Paul gives an update on the current state and the future of Drop the Needle. Artists in this episode include Ringo Starr, Japanese Breakfast, Ben Folds and Trashcan Sinatras.  (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to the original owner.)

Vulnerability ("Bottleneck" Book Release, Part 1)

Recorded live from the gorgeous and historic HALO Live in Sandusky, Ohio, the podcast celebrated the release of Paul's acclaimed alcoholism memoir BOTTLENECK. In the first of this special two-part episode, Sean, Paul & return guest Tommy Rutger (filling in for Mike) discuss the topic of Vulnerability in recovery. They also field questions from the audience. Introduced by Shawn Patrick Thomas Daley. Artists in this episode include The Mountain Goats, The Grateful Dead and Metric. (Drop the ...

MINI-EPISODE: Secrets

We revisit the topic of Secrets this week and listen to songs by Car Seat Headrest and Doombird. Listen below or find us wherever podcasts can be found. (Drop the Needle does not own or claim ownership of any music used in this podcast. All rights go to the original owner.)

Record Collecting as a Form of Recovery Self-Care (Guest: Shane Watson)

Writer, public speaker, storyteller, recovery advocate, suicide intervention trainer, and self-described "music fanatic" Shane Watson guests in an episode that dives headlong into Shane's story of madness, recovery and how the act of collecting records provides him solace, respite and relief in recovery. Artists in this episode include Margot and the Nuclear So and So's, Mike Doughty, Dustin Kensrue and Sting. Follow Shane at Silverladder. You can also find him on Facebook, Instagram, and T...